Patriot Ordnance Factory took its foothold during the first half of the last decade-2004. Americans were still feeling the sting of the events of 9-11. We were actively “up in arms” so to speak. Consumer interest and demand for firearms was on a steady climb. And so was the resultant manufacture and sale of guns. Many new startups would appear on the scene purveying the AR-15 in countless trims and patterns. The black rifle would soon secure itself as the most popular and widely sold rifle in America. It is accurate to say that tens of thousands of Americans became employed in, on, around or otherwise involved in the manufacture and sale of black, semi-automatic rifles. POF would emerge as the first American firm offering a (successful) piston-driven AR-15 variant. The company presented itself with the ideals and imagery and theme of a patriotic American arms maker.

Like most things new, POF may have been misunderstood, or even just overlooked by some of us ten years ago. The company’s logo and marketing certainly appealed to our hearts, but the rifles may have been hard to love for some. They appear humpbacked- the picatinny that spans the receiver and forearm is raised significantly; assumed to accommodate the gas block and piston assembly. POF rifles all come with an audible rattle when the rifle was manipulated or shaken, caused by the floating op-rod. These rifles even lack some of the standard kit of parts, so the manual of arms to the basic AR-15 no longer applies. The POF rifle even includes some new parts- not recognizable by trained armorers of the day. And to make matters worse, it can be demonstrated that many gunsmiths, and armorers, and consumers alike carry misconceptions about the true function and process of the AR-15. These incorrect doctrines fall even farther off-base when applied to the misinterpretation of the POF and its function. The “direct impingement purists” will preach slanderous tales about the “piston” and its alleged shortcomings.

The left side of the receiver shows the improved bolt catch lever with a wide paddle at the base. Also note the magazine release, the serrated paddle above the trigger.

It is best now to seek a fresh understanding and accept that POF does not make an AR-15 with a piston inside. POF manufactures rifles that do indeed incorporate some of the AR’s design cues and interchangeable wear and accessory items. This is just good practice in industry- to design wares that are identifiable and serviceable by the layman. POF has reexamined the purpose and intent of the AR-15, and taken a different and updated approach to the same goal. The gun was designed to exploit modern industrial capabilities. Advanced manufacturing techniques and high performance materials and surface treatments guided the design and process. At the same time, some inherent weaknesses and points of potential failure in the classic AR-15 were revised and redesigned; or even omitted. Some parts of POF rifles are cut on a wire EDM, which was new and scary technology in the 1960s. The receivers are CNC machined from solid blocks of alloy on a multi-axis trunion to ensure perfect dimensional consistency. This process was prohibitively slow and expensive in the period surrounding the advent of the AR-15. All operational surfaces and sacrificial parts in POF rifles are treated with wear and corrosion resistant coatings or surface conversions. POF uses a coating called NP3 to protect the receivers and the parts within. It is a nickel/teflon matrix- superlative in its ability to simultaneously offer supreme lubricity and eliminate the onset of surface corrosion. A surface conversion differs from a coating in that it is not applied to a part- instead a very thin layer of that material is chemically manipulated to impart desirable qualities. A nitride heat treat and conversion process is performed on the barrel, gas block, gas regulator, piston and muzzle brake. This treatment leaves the parts nearly as hard as glass, as corrosion resistant as stainless steel, and to everything but tungsten carbide and diamond they are totally abrasion-proof.

There is a long list of mechanical improvements over the classic AR-15 pattern and operation. These upgrades are made with intention to combat heat, wear, and resultant catastrophic system failure. POF’s rifles incorporate a massive heat sink made of extruded aluminum fins into the barrel nut. This heat sink presents an enormous surface area to conduct and radiate heat away from its source, the chamber. This prevents the aluminum forearm from soaking up heat and prevents any heat from building up in the receiver. The whole of the operating system is housed within the barrel, gas block, and forearm. The gas block provides the expansion chamber that acts against the piston, then vents the gas quickly after it has done its work so little heat is absorbed. The piston is simple. It’s a reversible cylinder that seals the cylinder in the gas block and acts against an op rod that acts against the bolt group. The gas regulator has multiple settings, for normal fire and suppressed fire. The gun is designed to operate at minimal energy level- to prolong service life and inhibit heat buildup. The gas regulator allows gas to flow at a prescribed rate onto the piston. The gas block’s exhaust port vents excess pressure into the forearm enclosure. As this pressure is relieved into the atmosphere, it does indeed increase sound levels. This is one of the two negative side effects of piston operation. And if you’ve got a suppressor affixed to your barrel, the suppressor’s effect will be reduced, as the suppressor cannot affect the release of energy leaving the gas block vent. In exchange for slightly elevated noise levels, the POF rifle gets rid of heat’s side effects and gains perfect and perpetual operation. Fair trade.

The long paddle above the KNS anti-rotation pin capture rod is the bolt release. The structure protruding into the trigger guard at the front is the bolt catch button. The trigger finger pushes up on this surface while the left hand opens the action to lock the bolt open. And there are few things more comforting than that third option on the selector dial.

Steps have been taken to mitigate the effects of wear and the impending degradation and failure it causes. The bolt carrier cam pin has been replaced by a roller bearing. The receiver extension has been improved by extending the ventral surface to combat carrier tilt. Carrier tilt is the other negative side effect of piston operation as it can cause irregular wear on a receiver (if unchecked). The op rod floats in the forearm while the bolt is locked at battery so there is no pressure on the barrel at the moment of ignition. The chamber of the POF rifle now features a fluted section to reduce case adhesion to the chamber wall. This fluting utilizes gas pressure to assist and ease extraction. And of course, to repeat, everything in and on the rifle is either coated with a protective film or treated by a high performance surface conversion.

The controls of the POF have been updated and optimized from the old design. Operation and control of the POF rifle is fully ambidextrous. The bolt catch is activated from within the trigger guard, by the trigger finger. The right side bolt release can be tripped by bumping a paddle located just above the magazine release, which is still found where it belongs. The conventional bolt catch lever is still located left side, mid-receiver for those from the old school. The left side magazine release is located just above the trigger guard opening and can be accessed with the thumb of the forward hand or the index finger of a left-handed shooter. Besides bringing ambi control to the rifle, POF has greatly improved the fire control mechanism is the form of a cassette-type trigger pack. It’s a unitized drop-in unit that is available in several variations of pull weight, and trigger blade style. There is even a POF full-auto trigger pack available on the accessory market, for use in any existing M-16. These trigger units are truly excellent even among competitors’ more expensive offerings. The receiver is not the only mounting pad for optics. The forearm provides uninterrupted rail stem-to-stern. The rear portion of the rail section interfaces with the receiver. This is the real reason the top rail is located higher than normal. This design feature strengthens the overall assembly and improves accuracy by not allowing any shift or misalignment between the mounting surface of the receiver, and that of the forearm. Optics and sights can be mounted anywhere on the top rail without limitation. The taller rail should not be seen as an obstacle when mounting optics. One can just use lower mounting hardware to achieve correct head alignment while maintaining a proper cheek-weld. The newest generation of POF makes room for large objective scopes by featuring removable rail sections atop the forearm structure. Every conceivable argument in contra of the POF rifle and its design or features can be explained away with sound logic and reason. Nothing on this gun is arbitrary. Every little detail has been considered and built to a purpose.

The Full-Auto bolt is indicated by the bullet pictogram.

In practice and application, the POF distinguishes itself from other rifles that share similar heritage. It is professional grade. It’s heavy duty. The POF is more robust, and is designed and built to operate reliably in conditions far outside the comfort zone of the original AR-15. The rifle’s failure threshold has yet to be firmly established. The results and proof of the company’s adherence to its established goals and values can be reviewed on the internet. One need only search “POF Torture test.” There is one particular government agency that abandoned its “test to failure” only for budget concerns. The rifle in contention had burned over 60,000 rounds of .308 with only some minor part swaps (extractor, various springs, etc). That rifle never even showed an appreciable loss in accuracy. That department simply ran out of ammo and the funding to buy more. There are many examples of this same result. The only failures belong to the people who have set out, in vain, to wear down a POF rifle. Much ammunition and money could be saved by the broad acceptance of this suggestion: That POF builds a superior rifle. Few companies will ever own their motto like POF owns its motto of “Relentless Reliability”

Now to address the question of a full auto 7.62x51mm NATO rifle. Here again, many have tried, and most have failed. The 7.62 (.308) is a powerful cartridge. The last 60 years have shown select fire .308 rifles frequently to be impractical and uncontrollable. Compromises have been made on the part of government and military bodies. Assault rifles have been created in anemic calibers to facilitate improved user control. Situations that call for a more powerful weapon have been left with high-powered semi-automatic rifles. Full-auto .308 capable platforms are large, heavy, and are commonly crew-served or hard mounted to vehicles. No longer is this the case. The P308 FA has hit the scene and has been dropping jaws and opening eyes. Contrary to our expectations and even our understanding, the P308FA is imminently controllable. It is perfectly reliable. This rifle has the portability and agility of the M4 rifle. This capable package comes with no compromise to the .308’s potential and power. In action, on full-automatic, the P308 gives its user (in the short term) the power and presence of an M60, and (long term) the handling and utility of the basic M4. Making no exaggeration- with the P308FA, firing 7.62x51mm 147 grain ball ammo in our tests, we were able to match the accuracy and hit the percentages of an M-16 chambered in 5.56. The POF trigger unit allows for precise and deliberate first shot hits and the superbly balanced operating system facilitates the continued and focused engagement of a target. Decisive discrimination is this rifles qualifying skill.

Patriot Ordnance Factory came online in 2004. The P308FA was announced in 2010 (on POF website, video menu, select teasers and select the bottom one that shows a close-up of the receiver. It’s quite compelling).The gun only started seeing daylight in 2013. Why did take so long for POF’s engineers to release a select-fire rifle? The best explanation we got is that it’s not as easy as simply installing the appropriate full-auto parts. Sure, the P308 would have worked with only the haphazard installation of the required bits. But it would not have worked so well. POF’s engineers applied some technical finesse to reach this level of refinement. After much scrutiny, their experts were able to identify the nature of these small tweaks. The details of these minute improvements and adjustments may go unnoticed but the gross effect of POF’s efforts is significant.

Gas regulator and POF’s proprietary muzzle brake. Also, the top and bottom short rails sections are machined right into the forearm and are intended for iron sight and flashlight or bipod.. The rife allows for modular rails to be affixed along the sides in the 3 and 9 o’clock positions.

There exists a set of unique rules and theories that address the physics as they apply to the fully-automatic weapon. In fully automatic fire, recoil impulse at high rates effectively becomes thrust. Operating pressures become residual. Forces generated by the cyclic function of the weapon tend to “carry over” and can retard or otherwise interfere with the proceeding stages of normal operation. Repetitive motion generates incredible heat and wear. Metals can “de-alloy” from concentrated heat and repeated heating and cooling cycles. Coatings and surface treatments can lose their binding properties. Heat can transform lubricant into an abrasive or even an adhesive. Springs can lose their force constant and go limp. Metal parts can expand and bind. As a barrel heats, it grows and offers less friction on the bullet which can lower peak operating pressures and delay timing. There is indeed more to a full auto than drilling a new pinhole for an auto-sear. And there is a world of understanding that must be firmly grasped to make full-auto operation really advantageous. POF, by luck, skill, or maybe only by the grace of the gun-gods, has balanced the system. Contrary to what is known and understood in the industry, POF has done it. Our writers and experts are industry experts and have authoritative experience with all things guns. We never saw this thing coming.

The P308FA has no place in the civilian market due to current laws. It’s only and always going to be a military and law-enforcement firearm. A relative new-comer like POF would expectedly encounter some resistance from the Military and Law Enforcement market, which has generally been served by only 2 or 3 big brands- brands that have been making exotic small arms suited for military and law-enforcement for many decades now. But the P308FA has found a secure position among domestic departments due to its well-earned fame as an indestructible force multiplier. This rifle can and will make America’s streets safer; or any other country’s streets or jungles or deserts. It is match grade machine gunnery incarnate.

POF has cracked the code on how to design, create, prepare and protect a rifle for use and abuse. Pressure, wear, heat, abrasion, adhesion, erosion, friction, and oxidation are non-issues. These potential causes of failure need no further consideration. Recoil, handling, reliability, and accuracy have been tuned and tamed to near perfection. POF has solved the mystery and quelled the mystique of the piston gun. Make no mistake- the modernization of the AR-15’s design concept is not an affront to the classic rifle. The AR-15 and its contribution to America’s identity is not at risk nor in question. POF pays humble and deserved homage to the AR-15 and its roots. But there can be no advancement in the profession of arms if we cannot accept that old technology must yield to the new. The P308FA is a preeminent example of the next generation of the American gun.

The Bolt Carrier Group. The roller cam is visible. Also of note, the carrier is machined from a solid block of steel. The key, where the op rod impinges, is not added to the carrier. It is part of the carrier for ultimate strength. The platinum color comes from the nickel-teflon coating.

The gas regulator, piston, and op-rod. These are the only moving parts exposed to hot gas and fouling from the barrel. They are easily removed and cleaned. POF recommends cleaning only with a scotch-brite pad. The system requires no solvent and no lubrication.

The short stroke/long stroke piston operated AR-type rifles are fairly mainstream now. Many manufacturers build dedicated rifles as well as drop-in conversion kits. In the late 1990s and early 2000s though, it was a very new concept. Although short stroke pistons systems go back to 1968 with the Winchester conversion and the long stroke piston approximately the same time with the Colt model 703, the system just never got any forward movement. After the initial issues were corrected, the M16A1 went on to become one of the most reliable rifles in history. In the late 1980s, it came around again with the Rhino System designed by Walter Langendorfer. He had military potential but was shut down by Army bureaucracy.

In the early 2000s, the industry was taking a real hard look at the benefits of an external piston operated rifle. The actual dates are not necessarily for sure as the companies showed prototype rifles prior to the beginning of production. Based on the years of production there were three main companies that drove the external piston into market as well as into the hands of soldiers, law enforcement and the commercial market. In 2004, the Patriot Ordnance P416 first began shipping. In 2005, Heckler & Koch released their HKM4 Enhanced/HK416 and in 2006 LWRC introduced their M6.

The Gen 2 rifle showed several changes. First being the lower receiver where the trigger guard is now integral to the receiver. POF also introduced their high free floating handguard. This Gen also marks the introduction of the POF manufactured trigger as well.

In 2002, Patriot Ordnance Factory was incorporated by the owner, Frank DeSomma. This Brooklyn, New York native never even thought about guns in his early years. New York City is less than a gun friendly environment. His family uprooted to Arizona where all that was about to change. Frank started off as a kid with his friends building trucks and Jeeps fabricating custom vehicles. After that Frank spent 28 years in the Aerospace industry as a manufacturing process engineer. He had friends who were involved in hunting – mostly dove and deer – and Frank got introduced to standard hunting firearms. Franks best friend introduced him to the AR-15. Frank was enamored by the rifle and the design genius of Gene Stoner. He decided he wanted to get into the AR business. He knew he could not compete with companies like Colt, DPMS, Bushmaster and so on. He knew if he was to succeed he had to offer the customers something different. He began his company selling parts and accessories and then went on to develop his own rifle. Frank stated that the freedom of this country offered him the opportunity to go into the gun business.

Frank recognized the excellent attributes of the AR-15 but decided to change the operating system to eliminate heat and fouling in the action. He also decided to increase reliability in the system by using an external piston operating system. According to Frank, his design approach was to start backwards from the gas block on the barrel and ending at the chamber. First he moved the gas cylinder to the gas block instead of inside the bolt carrier; then a valve to select suppressed and un-suppressed positions. This valve is critical in extending the service life of the firearm when using a sound suppressor. Without the valve, the sound suppressor increases internal pressures driving the cyclic rate up, which opens the bolt sooner and causes more wear on the internal components. Failures to extract are one of the first casualties of suppressed weapons. He designed this system to work with both semi as well as fully automatic firearms. The 5.56mm rifles maintain a cycle rate of 750 to 850 rounds per minute and the 7.62x51mm rifles maintain a cyclic rate of 650 to 750 rounds per minute. Then he designed the operating rod and bolt carrier for his system.

The Gen 3 rifles introduced the ambidextrous magazine and bolt catch as well as the POF designed muzzle brake.

In 2004, the first rifles left the Patriot Ordnance Factory; this was the Flagship Model P416. This is the early rifle with the high rails not to be confused with the later generations with plastic handguards or added rail. The first generation utilized a standard mil-spec lower from a forging. The 2-piece rail was designed and manufactured by POF. The barrel is free-floated.

The Gen 2 rifle had one major change. POF made lowers from a billet and the trigger guard is integral with the receiver. The heat sink barrel nut was introduced on this model, which helped radiate heat away with 53 inches of surface area made of aircraft grade aluminum. This long barrel nut also helped a support 4 inches of the op rod.

The Gen 3 was introduced with the new upper and lower receivers manufactured from billet 7075 T6 aluminum. Also the ambidextrous bolt release was added. This was one of the first integral ambidextrous bolt releases in the industry. Also introduced in this generation is the enhanced roller cam pin. The cam pin has a roller on the top of it that reduces friction and drag of the action while cycling. The head of the cam pin rolls when it engages the receiver wall and eliminates the worn groove and wear on the receiver. The roller cam pin is available for both 5.56mm and 7.62mm rifles. It may be purchased as an accessory as well. The 7.62mm bolt carriers require no modifications. However the standard 5.56mm direct gas impingement carriers require a special carrier key with a cut out to allow for the clearance of the roller cam pin.

The current Gen 4 has the newly crafted lower receiver, which has many improvements to the ergonomics of the lower receiver. It makes the rifle easier to handle and manipulate. Notice the groove machined into the lower in front of the trigger housing for the trigger finger so there is a place to rest your trigger finger off of the trigger.

The current model is the Gen 4. Many changes have been added to the ergonomics of the receivers that included an ambidextrous magazine release. Also, a bolt hold open lever was added in front of the trigger inside the trigger guard that by pushing upward on the lever and pulling the bolt to the rear would lock the bolt open. The trigger guard is elongated to allow the use of heavy gloves and there is a trigger finger rest divot machined into both sides of the receiver. Also introduced in this generation is a tension screw to adjust the tension between the upper and lower receiver.

POF serializes all barrels to gas blocks when they machine the gas block to the barrel. They separate the barrel from the gas block and have the barrel and gas block heat treated. The barrel and gas block will not rust or corrode because POF processes them separately. All barrels, gas blocks, upper, lowers, regulated gas plugs, drop in triggers, bolt carriers, receiver extensions, free float rail and .308 extractors
are date coded.

Perhaps one of the greatest design enhancements of the Patriot Ordinance Factory is the Push/Pull E Squared Extraction Technology. With shorter barrels (less than 20 inches), the cartridge case is still slightly obturated at the moment of extraction. This causes the extractor spring as well as the actual extractor be a little more overworked than in the standard full size rifle. With the direct gas impingement rifles, as the rifle wears, the gas port inside the barrel will erode allowing more gas to enter the system making the cyclic rate increase even more from when the rifle was new. This causes even more strain on the extractor and extractor spring. This technology features a four channel cut in the neck to help break the seal of the neck from the chamber walls during the delay from when the cartridge is fired to the gasses pushing the bullet down the barrel. The hardest the extractor works now is to exercise over the rim of the case every time the cartridge is chambered.

Perhaps one of the biggest breakthroughs in POF development is their E Squared extraction enhancement system. Note the four cuts in the neck part of the chamber.

There are commercial as well as law enforcement and military versions of the rifle. The military and law enforcement versions are offered in selective fire models. POF offers rifles in black anodized, NPS, Cerakote Tungsten, olive drab or burnt bronze colors. All bolt and barrels are magnetic particle inspected to ensure against stress cracks and are tested with proof cartridges when it is requested.

There were two rifles sent to SADJ for test and evaluation: the P-308 7.62x51mm rifle and the newly released Puritan 5.56x45mm rifle. The P-308 is a Gen 4 rifle with all of the most up-to-date enhancements offered by Patriot Ordnance Factory. The Puritan is a new product that was introduced as an entry level rifle, which is more cost effective. The rifle goes back to the Gen 1 in that it uses standard forged receivers rather than the billet receivers.

The Puritan is one of the finest built piston rifles on the market today. The fit and finish is second to none. Although designed as an entry level rifle, it has all the mechanical features of its counterpart the P415. Though primarily chambered in 5.56x45mm, the rifle can also be chambered in 6.8mm SPC.

With the cartridge in the chamber and it being fired, note how the hot high pressure gasses leak back through the notches in the chamber and how they impart right on the shoulder of the fired cartridge case. This starts the extraction process prior to the extractor engaging and in turn decreases the wear on the extractor severely. This would be a major improvement on any 5.56mm or 7.62mm auto loading rifle.

Beginning at the rear of the rifle, the 7 position mil-spec receiver extension is manufactured from 7075 T6 impact extrusion by POF. The receiver extension is designed as an anti-carrier tilt mechanism. There is a ramp on the end to properly align the bolt carrier when it enters the receiver extension, which eliminates the issues caused by carrier tilt found in external piston operated AR-type rifles and the bolt carrier is sitting in the receiver extension when the receivers are closed. The buffer used is a standard carbine buffer with three steel weights. Due to the design of the operating mechanism, it is not over gassed that would cause bolt carrier bounce issues. The rifle is equipped with a Magpul CTR stock.

The lower receiver has an ambidextrous safety manufactured by POF. The trigger used in the rifle is POF designed and manufactured. This single-stage, non-adjustable, drop-in trigger boasts a solid 4.5-pound pull weight and is pre-assembled in Hardcoat Anodized aluminum housing (complete with rubber urethane feet) for immediate competition, hunting, and tactical applications right out of the box. POF also offers this same trigger in 4 pounds. Carved from American A2 steel, the trigger, disconnect, and hammer are all Nitride heat-treated to 70 Rockwell case hardness for ultimate strength and corrosion resistance. The trigger pull on the T&E rifle broke at 4 and 1/2 pounds. It should be noted POF helped to develop the Timney Trigger. It includes custom-fit stainless steel KNS Precision Anti-walk Pins for both standard AR and POF-USA ambidextrous lower receivers. The trigger is easily installed.

On the top of the lower receiver, just in front of the rear takedown pin are two polymer hex screws that are adjustable to control the play in the upper and lower receivers. On most rifles, you have to remove the pistol grip to adjust the tension between the receivers but POF makes it so you will not have to remove the grip as the tension screws are right out in the open and convenient to get to. The bolt catch has been redesigned so there is a larger “paddle” located at the bottom of the bolt catch making for easier operation. The T&E rifle is also equipped with a Magpul MOE pistol grip and Magpul enhanced trigger guard.

The POF P-308 Gen 4 rifle being put through its paces. Note the fired cartridge case.

The charging handle is also of POF design. There are knurled edges on the front and rear permitting easier and more positive grip whether you are right
or left handed.

The bolt carrier is nickel plated and is a one-piece design with the tombstone/operating rod impact area being behind the cam track. The carrier is the full auto configuration. The bolt is chrome plated and is a standard mil-spec bolt. This bolt was just missing the unneeded gas rings. The extractor has a rubber “O” ring around the extractor spring, which increases the extraction force by a factor of 4. This is “insurance” that really expands the life of the extractor spring. In fact, with this alone, the extractor spring is really not even needed. The carrier uses the roller cam pin which is NP3 coated. The firing pin is the standard mil-spec chrome plated firing pin with a standard firing pin retainer pin.

The upper receiver is a standard mil-spec upper with a mil-std 1913 rail, forward assist and fired cartridge case deflector. The ejection port cover has laser engraved an American Flag and written “God Bless America.” On this rifle, the upper and lower receivers are a perfect match of jet black color. There is a standard barrel nut, Delta ring, spring weld and snap ring.

The gas system of the POF puritan removed showing the operating rod, piston and gas plug. The operating rod is held in-line by the long sleeve at the rear of the gas block.

The 16.5 inch barrel is manufactured from 4150 chrome vanadium Mil-V-11595 steel and is Nitride heat treated. The rifling has 5 lands and grooves and is 1 turn in 8 inches with a right hand twist. The barrel profile is thicker than the government profile barrel but not nearly what one would call a heavy barrel. There are no step cuts. The rifle uses a mid-length gas system, which is far more ideal than the standard carbine length gas system. There is more dwell time that gives the cartridge case more time to contract down to allow for easier extraction. The Puritan barrel comes standard with E Square technology in the chamber and the muzzle is equipped with a standard A2 compensator. The T&E rifle is equipped with a mid-length Magpul MOE handguard. This is a very comfortable handguard with an excellent heat shield. The end user may install rail panels on the sides and bottom of the handguard if they wish to mount any accessory. Barrel length of the Puritan is 16.5 inches and offers in 7.25, 10.5, 14.5, 16.5 and 18.5 inches in length. According to POF, they have 20 to 30,000 rounds through the barrels and still maintain accuracy.

The gas block is billet machined from one piece of material, heat treated and nitrate treated for hardness and corrosion resistance and then case hardened to 68-70 Rockwell. First and foremost the biggest advantage of this gas block is that it is pinned in place, not held on by set screws or clamping bolts. It is very well documented that a gas block will migrate forward with heavy usage—particularly in rapid or fully automatic fire. There is a vast majority of the piston system out there with very few exceptions (Colt, LMT, LWRCI, SIG) that actually drill and pin the gas blocks in place. There is a bayonet lug and behind that is a QD sling mounting point.

The gas volume is controlled by the gas valve instead of the gas port, which will ensure constant cyclic rate throughout the life of the firearm. The gas valve is locked in place by a spring loaded pin. If the carbon build up is heavy, the face of the valve is grooved to accept a cartridge case rim to give additional leverage to remove a difficult gas valve.

Sectioned view of the POF gas system. (Courtesy of POF)

The Puritan was received with one Magpul PMag. At the time this rifle was received the new Hexmag was received as well. Hexmag was founded in 2013 and started out as a 3D design and printing of an AR-15 magazine. At that time 3D printing was quite popular. They went on to refine the design and with feedback from their local gun community they decided to move forward and produce their own magazine. In March of 2014, the company sold their first HX30-AR magazine. According to Hex mag, their “Patent Pending design provides a superior grip that is missing on other magazines. The tool-less hexagon shaped latch plate release button made a perfect platform to introduce color. The Hex ID color system was founded on the principal that gun owners purchase multiple types of ammo and like preloaded magazines. With the creation of Hexmag and the HexID System colors, all other marking methods are replaced with styling, which complements our rifles.” They offer follower and floor plates in orange, black, pink, yellow, green and blue.

For compatibility purposes, the Puritan was tested with Hexmag, PMag, Hera Arms, Lancer AWM, HK High Reliability/polymer, ASC, Surefire 60-round and standard GI magazines. There were a total of 500 rounds of Black Hills Ammunition 55gr FMJ rounds fired through the rifle for function testing – some of which were fired fully automatic. The P15 upper was placed on a LMT Guardian lower receiver. For accuracy, both Black Hills Ammunition MK262 Mod1 and Remington 77gr OTM ammunition was tested. Throughout the test there were no malfunctions of any type with any of the magazines or ammunition. The best group of the day was 10 rounds of Black Hills Ammunition 77gr OTM at 100 yards with all rounds within 1 MOA. The MSRP of the Puritan is $1,499.

The second rifle tested by SADJ was the P-308 Gen 4 rifle. These models are chambered primarily in 7.62x51mm but can also be purchased in 6.5 Creedmoor and .243 Winchester. Like the Puritan, the fit and finish is immaculate with attention to every detail. This rifle is a Gen 4, which has all the latest and best of all features offered by POF.

The POF Puritan that was sent for Test & Evaluation. Notice the mid-length Magpul MOE handguard and the standard A2-style compensator. This is POF’s entry level rifle using standard forged upper and lower receivers. Also note the Hexmag magazine that arrived at the same time as the rifles.

Beginning at the rear of the rifle, the receiver extension has a total of 7 positions for the stock to adjust. The receiver extension, which is also designed and manufactured by POF, has the anti-tilt ram on the front of the receiver extension along with the alignment tab for the buffer extension to keep the stock in the proper position. The buffer is longer than the standard carbine and is designed for use in the custom length POF receiver extension. The stock on the rifle is the Magpul STR stock.

The lower receiver is cut from a billet of 7075 T6 aluminum and has many refinements over the previous generations. There is a nice swell in front of the trigger guard to rest your trigger finger on either side of the receiver. The edges are all rounded and there is a good flare on the magazine well for loading in low level light conditions. The lower is fully ambidextrous. There is a bolt release lever above the magazine release button on the right side of the receiver and there is a magazine release lever below the bolt catch on the left side of the receiver. Also located in the receiver in front of the trigger is a bolt catch lever that can be actuated with the trigger finger just by pushing upward on the lever. There is a receiver tension adjustment screws on the top of the receiver behind the rear takedown pin. The trigger is also the POF drop in non adjustable single stage trigger. The T&E trigger broke at 5 1/4 pounds. Also included are custom-fit stainless steel KNS Precision Anti-walk Pins. The pistol grip is the Magpul MOS grip. Included is the POF ambidextrous safety as well. The trigger guard is part of the lower receiver and is oversized to accept heavy gloves. The magazine is the standard AR-10/SR-25-type magazine.

The charging handle is of POF design with knurled edges on the front and rear permitting easier and more positive grip whether you are right or left handed.

One of the newest magazines on the market is the Hexmag. The main difference between these and others are the ability to color code the follower and lock plate. The color would be visible to the shooter and that color can stand for a specific type of ammunition or a different caliber. The magazines are very well made and in the Puritan rifle worked flawlessly.

The bolt carrier is manufactured similarly to the P15. However, there are no mil-specs for the 7.62 bolt carrier group and there is no place to put the gas rings. The extractor does make use of the rubber “O” ring. The bolt is chrome plated although the bolt carrier is nickel plated. The roller cam pin is used in this model as well.

The upper receiver is manufactured from a billet of 7075 T6 aluminum. There is a forward assist and a fired cartridge case deflector. The ejection port cover also has an American Flag and says “God Bless America.”

The 7.62x51mm caliber 14.5 inch barrel is manufactured from 4150 chrome vanadium Mil-V-11595 steel and is Nitride heat treated. The rifling has 5R with 1 turn in 10 inch twist. The barrel profile is fluted to decrease weigh and increase surface area to aid in radiating heat. Pinned and welded to the barrel is a POF designed and manufactured triple port muzzle brake. The barrel nut is POF’s oversized heat sink barrel nut. The barrel nut completely encompasses the chamber and throat area of the chamber. It also supports the operating rod. The rifle uses a mid-length gas system, which is far more ideal than the standard carbine length gas system as there is more dwell time, which gives the cartridge case more time to contract down to allow for easier extraction. The Puritan barrel comes standard with E Square technology in the chamber. This rifle can be purchased with 12.5, 14.5, 16.5 and 20 inch barrel lengths.

Bolt carrier group of the Puritan. Notice the one-piece construction of the bolt carrier as well as the POF Roller Cam Pin. The bolt is a standard chrome plated bolt. The bolt carrier is NP3 coated.

The gas block is drilled and pinned in place. The handguard covers the gas block. It is Nitride heat treated.

The gas volume is controlled by the gas valve instead of the gas port, which will ensure constant cyclic rate throughout the life of the firearm. The gas valve is locked in place by a spring loaded pin. If the carbon build up is heavy the face of the valve is grooved to accept a cartridge case rim to give additional leverage to remove a difficult gas valve. The gas valve has three positions: a normal mode of fire, suppressed mode of fire and a complete
shut off position.

The handguard used is the POF Modular Railed Receiver. This is a two-piece upper receiver with a free floating monolithic rail and handguard that precisely interfaces with the POF reinforced “backbone” receiver. This takes stress away from the bolt area and eliminates flex where the operating rod, charging handle and bolt carrier sit. This not only managed the platforms points of stress but they strengthen the entire upper receiver.

The POF drop in trigger group. The KNS anti-walk pins hold the hammer and trigger pin in place.

The rifle came supplied with one Magpul PMag. At the time this rifle arrived, so did the brand new Lancer L7 AWM magazine. Just released, this is a smoke colored translucent 20-round 7.62x51mm caliber magazine. Molded into the polymer is a steel insert that wraps around the top and includes the magazine catch area. You have a metal magazine catch on the rifle that now engages a metal slot in the magazines. Molded in are two nice gripping grooves. Lancer Systems has been one of the leading high quality magazine manufacturers in the industry.

The rifle was tested with the new Lancer L7, Magpul PMag, Knight’s Armament and AASC magazines. Prior to testing this rifle, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s office had put over 35,000 rounds through their 14.5 inch selective fire P308 throughout a 17 month test and the rifle was still shooting 1.5 MOA at 500 yards. The test and evaluation P308 sent to SADJ fired over 400 rounds of Winchester USA M80 Ball ammunition with no malfunctions. Accuracy testing was done with Black Hills and Hornady ammunition. The best group achieved was with Black Hills Ammunition 7.62x51mm 175gr OTM with a group .430 inches with 3 rounds.

If you are looking for a rifle that has been fully developed and in a class of its own, POF is the rifle you want. Like all high end gear there is a high price; but you are getting something totally refined and surpasses mil-spec by light years. You truly get what you pay for.

Right side of the receivers of the P308 Gen4 rifle with the forward assist, ambidextrous bolt catch, KNS anti-walk hammer and trigger pins and the trigger finger rest divot machined into the receiver in front of the trigger. Also note the Lancer L7 translucent polymer magazine.

Left side of the POF P308 Gen 4 rifle with the newly released Lancer L7 translucent polymer magazine. Notice the ambidextrous magazine release.

The Lancer L7 magazine is based on the Lancer Advanced Warfighter Magazine. This magazine is durable and reliable – what you come to expect from Lancer. This magazine was heavily tested in the POF rifle as well as a couple others including a full auto rifle. It ran flawlessly.